Rick Nolan hires former opponent

Blog Post by:

December 31, 2012 - 11:57 AM

Eighth District Congressman-elect Rick Nolan has hired one of his former primary opponents.

Former Duluth City Council president Jeff Anderson will be joining Nolan's staff as district director, Nolan's transition team announced Monday. Anderson was one of three Democrats running in the Eighth District primary this year. Nolan won the primary and went on to oust incumbent Republican Rep. Chip Cravaack in November.

Nolan's press release describes Anderson as "an Ely native and a fourth generation Iron Ranger," who will oversee the Eighth District offices Nolan plans to open in Duluth and Brainerd.

Other Nolan hires announced today include his former campaign chairman, Jim Swiderski, who will serve as his legislative director in Washington; new deputy chief of staff Jodie Torkelson; chief scheduler Ione Yates; and communication director Steve Johnson.

"They know Minnesota, they know Capitol Hill and they will hit the ground running to provide exemplary service to the people of the Eighth District from Day One,” Nolan said in a statement. “I’m so proud to have them on our team.”